Chinese Language Flagship Program<\/a> (URI being only one of eight in the entire country) is for US citizens to become global professionals and use Chinese to help Americans become more competitive in a variety of fields. It is a federally-funded program that helps students become globally minded and level their language skills at a superior (professional) level and can communicate as an educated native speaker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cWe actually start talking to our students in the Chinese language on day one of their classes. It\u2019s always an immersion for them; it\u2019s learning by doing,\u201d said Wu. \u201cIn other institutions, students might finish their Chinese major, but their proficiency might only be intermediate. With the Chinese Language Flagship Program option at URI, students can leverage their language in a professional field.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chinese Flagship students always pair with a second major, oftentimes studies such as engineering, computer science, political science, biology pre-med, or business. They are also required to have overseas experience by studying abroad in Taiwan twice: first during the summer after their sophomore year, and then for a full academic year. The latter, known as the Capstone Year, consists of one semester of course work at a university, followed by a semster-long professional internship in the student\u2019s discipline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe global experience is life-changing,\u201d said Wu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prospective students interested in applying to the program must include a statement of purpose, high school transcripts, and one letter of recommendation from a high school teacher (a language teacher preferred, but not required) who is familiar with their work and can speak to the student\u2019s work ethic and leadership qualities. All interested students receive an interview to discuss the program requirements and to ensure they understand the commitment. Students who find their passion for Chinese growing after their first exposure in regular-track Chinese 101 can transfer into the program as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wu\u2019s teaching and research go hand in hand as she continues to ask questions like: What kind of pedagogy have we used? What kind of individual factors have we considered in helping students to achieve the highest level of language proficiency? Because the program is federally funded, Wu and faculty must show sponsors that students are making progress. URI is one of the national leaders of a voucher program language assessment in which students are tested on their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a big commitment because it is so intensive, but they leave the program as well-rounded and superior Chinese language speakers with experience in their desired field,\u201d said Wu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Yu (Joyce) Wu \u5434\u745c is an Associate Professor, Director of the Chinese Flagship Program, and Chinese Section Head at the University of Rhode Island. She is the Immediate Past President of the Chinese Language Teachers Association (CLTA-USA), a board member of NECLTA, and the Higher Education Co-Chair for the AP Chinese Development Committee for the 2024-2025 academic year. Dr. Wu has received the URI College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence Award and the Rhode Island Foreign Language Association Mary L. Borra Excellence Award.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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